Mississippi State Bulldogs

SEC Notebook: Is Auburn poised to pull the upset in the Iron Bowl?

Published Nov. 24, 2015 10:51 a.m. ET

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Once again, the Egg Bowl has huge implications inside Mississippi

For Ole Miss (8-3 overall, 5-2 SEC), a victory against archrival Mississippi State (8-3, 4-3) would keep dreams of winning the SEC West alive. Meanwhile for the Bulldogs, a win would give State the opportunity to achieve back-to-back 10-win seasons for the first time in the school’s 111-year history.

Ole Miss leads the conference in passing behind quarterback Chad Kelly’s 3504 passing yards and 25 touchdowns, while Mississippi State ranks a close second with 3159 yards and 23 touchdowns through the air from senior quarterback Dak Prescott.

According to Prescott, last season’s 31-17 loss to the Rebels played a significant factor in his decision to return to Starkville.

“It’s the reason I came back,” Prescott said. “We don’t have the Golden (Egg) Trophy, the most special trophy in the state. I want to make sure that returns home where that belongs."

Despite Kelly transferring into Oxford this offseason, Saturday won’t be the first time the quarterbacks have gone head-to-head.

“When we were down at the Manning Camp, we were kinda playing with each other,” Kelly revealed Monday. “I won some money off him. I hit two out of the three targets and he hit one of the three.”

This time there’s more on the line than a little cash, as legacy and bragging rights for a lifetime inside the state on the line this time. Oh, not to mention a giant Golden Egg Trophy.

Lost in all the Miles rumors, serious bad blood lingers over LSU-A&M game

Since joining the SEC in 2012, Texas A&M (8-3 overall, 4-3 SEC) has failed to defeat division foe LSU (7-3, 4-3), thanks mostly to the Tigers’ defense led by coordinator John Chavis.

Every season, Kevin Sumlin’s high-powered offense has fallen when going up against the Tigers. Last season, A&M averaged more than 35 points per game and scored 17 on LSU. The previous matchups, A&M -- quarterbacked by Johnny Manziel -- averaged more than 44 points per game in both seasons and scored 29 points combined against LSU.

Much to the chagrin of Les Miles and LSU, Sumlin decided if you can’t beat him, hire him. Chavis apparently foresaw all the issues Miles is currently facing in Baton Rouge, and bolted as the opportunity to join forces with an offensive-minded coach presented itself. Miles attempted to convince his coordinator of six seasons to stick around, however Chavis could not get his contract fully guaranteed in the event of Miles’ termination.

In the all the hoopla surrounding the status of his job in LSU Monday, Miles took the time to address Chavis’ return.

"We look forward to hosting him this time," Miles said Monday.

Can the Tigers defeat the Aggies without Chavis’ expertise? Or will his old ally drive the final stake in Miles’ heart after helping position it back in January?

Did a lackluster Iron Bowl receive some much-needed juice?

Anyone that’s watched Alabama (10-1, 6-1) play over the last two months know the Tide are currently a force to be reckoned with. Auburn (6-5, 2-5) on the other hand, appears to be limping to the finish linet.

Can we proclaim the Iron Bowl over already? Slow your roll (tide) on that one, as Auburn does have a few advantages in its favor.

For starters, Gus Malzahn has a 2-2 record against Nick Saban and the Tide since 2010 – it should be noted Malzahn was Auburn’s offensive coordinator in the first two matchups. If the record alone doesn’t impress you, how about the fact the Tigers have at least a doubled the points Alabama’s defense has allowed in SEC play in three of the four games?

In 2010, Alabama’s defense gave up an average of 14.4 points per game in SEC play – Auburn scored 28 points.

In 2013, Alabama’s defense gave up an average of 11.9 points per game in SEC play – Auburn scored 34 points.

In 2014, Alabama’s defense gave up an average of 15.7 points per game in SEC play – Auburn scored 44 points.

Whatever secret Malzahn knows about Alabama’s defense, he appears to be getting better at exploiting it, as the Tide gave up 630 yards of total offense to go along with the 44 points last season.

In case the Tigers needed any motivation to push themselves for the Iron Bowl, two ‘Bama players did their part to provide the extra incentive to open the rivalry week Monday.

Alabama senior center Ryan Kelly was asked to discuss any challenges Auburn sophomore defensive lineman Carl Lawson, a former Freshman All-American, would pose for the offensive line.

“I honestly don’t know who that is,” Kelly said.

Kelly’s comments were joined by fellow senior defensive back Cyrus Jones, who was asked to describe the challenge of facing Auburn’s receivers.

"They're pretty good players, you know, athletic, fast," Jones said. "I don't think they're nothing special, honestly."

Despite recent success against the Tide, Alabama’s players don’t seem too impressed with the Tigers. Will they live to return those statements or will Auburn conclude the season the same way it began it, as the league’s biggest disappointment?

Michael Wayne Bratton covers the SEC for FOX Sports. You can follow him on Twitter @MichaelWBratton